Animals

16 pages, 1510 KiB

Open AccessReview

Goat Production, Supply Chains, Challenges, and Opportunities for Development in Vietnam: A Review

by Viet Don Nguyen, Cong Oanh Nguyen, Thi Minh Long Chau, Dinh Quang Duy Nguyen, Anh Tuan Han and Thi Thanh Huyen Le

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2546; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152546 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5087

Abstract

The current situation of goat production and supply chains in Vietnam, along with its difficulties and possibilities, is presented in this review paper. The data and reports of government agencies, scientific journals, and websites were analysed in order to determine the prevailing situation [...] Read more.

The current situation of goat production and supply chains in Vietnam, along with its difficulties and possibilities, is presented in this review paper. The data and reports of government agencies, scientific journals, and websites were analysed in order to determine the prevailing situation in goat production and marketing. Goats are mainly raised on small-scale farms (73.4% of the total goat population). Goat production is transforming from extensive grazing to cut-and-carry intensive systems. Goat meat and milk supplies have not fully met domestic demand. However, the scale of the domestic market is difficult to ascertain, due to the lack of market research and statistics. Goat marketing is mostly informal and overwhelmingly conducted by small-scale producers and traders, although there are numerous governmental agencies at both the national and local levels regulating formal marketing. The major challenges facing the goat industry are feed shortage; supply inconsistency; limited market infrastructure and research; a lack of sustainable breeding programmes, price incentives, and processing facilities; and competition from foreign suppliers. However, there are opportunities to expand and develop the industry, such as consumers’ health consciousness, increasing demand, high-value adding, and strong government support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate-Smart and Sustainable Animal Food Value Chains)

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12 pages, 24172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Association Study of Lactation Traits in Chinese Holstein Cows in Southern China

by Minqiang Su, Xiaojue Lin, Zupeng Xiao, Yuanhang She, Ming Deng, Guangbin Liu, Baoli Sun, Yongqing Guo, Dewu Liu and Yaokun Li

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2545; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152545 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Lactation traits are economically important for dairy cows. Southern China has a high-temperature and high-humidity climate, and environmental and genetic interactions greatly impact dairy cattle performance. The aim of this study was to identify novel single-nucleotide polymorphism sites and novel candidate genes associated [...] Read more.

Lactation traits are economically important for dairy cows. Southern China has a high-temperature and high-humidity climate, and environmental and genetic interactions greatly impact dairy cattle performance. The aim of this study was to identify novel single-nucleotide polymorphism sites and novel candidate genes associated with lactation traits in Chinese Holstein cows under high-temperature and humidity conditions in southern China. A genome-wide association study was performed for the lactation traits of 392 Chinese Holstein cows, using GGP Bovine 100 K SNP gene chips. Some 23 single nucleotide polymorphic loci significantly associated with lactation traits were screened. Among them, 16 were associated with milk fat rate, 7 with milk protein rate, and 3 with heat stress. A quantitative trait locus that significantly affects milk fat percentage in Chinese Holstein cows was identified within a window of approximately 0.5 Mb in the region of 0.4–0.9 Mb on Bos taurus autosome 14. According to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses, ten genes (DGAT1, IDH2, CYP11B1, GFUS, CYC1, GPT, PYCR3, OPLAH, ALDH1A3, and NAPRT) associated with lactation fat percentage, milk yield, antioxidant activity, stress resistance, and inflammation and immune response were identified as key candidates for lactation traits. The results of this study will help in the development of an effective selection and breeding program for Chinese Holstein cows in high-temperature and humidity regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)

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15 pages, 4961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vitamin D Alleviates Cadmium-Induced Inhibition of Chicken Bone Marrow Stromal Cells’ Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro

by Xishuai Tong, Ying Zhang, Yutian Zhao, Yawen Li, Tan Li, Hui Zou, Yan Yuan, Jianchun Bian, Zongping Liu and Jianhong Gu

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152544 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Vitamin D is a lipid soluble vitamin that is mostly used to treat bone metabolism-related diseases. In this study, the effect of Cd toxicity in vitro on osteogenic differentiation derived from BMSCs and the alleviating effect of lα, 25-(OH)₂D₃ were [...] Read more.

Vitamin D is a lipid soluble vitamin that is mostly used to treat bone metabolism-related diseases. In this study, the effect of Cd toxicity in vitro on osteogenic differentiation derived from BMSCs and the alleviating effect of lα, 25-(OH)₂D₃ were investigated. Cell index in real time was monitored using a Real-time cell analyzer (RTCA) system. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the calcified nodules and the distribution of Runx2 protein were detected using ALP staining, alizarin red staining, and immunofluorescence, respectively. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential and the apoptotic rate of BMSCs, the mRNA levels of RUNX2 and type Ⅰ collagen alpha2 (COL1A2) genes, and the protein expression of Col1 and Runx2 were detected using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The proliferation of BMSCs and osteogenic differentiation were enhanced after treatment with different concentrations of lα, 25-(OH)₂D₃ compared with the control group. However, 5 μmol/L Cd inhibited the proliferation of BMSCs. In addition, 10 nmol/L lα,25-(OH)₂D₃ attenuated the toxicity and the apoptosis of BMSCs treated by Cd, and also promoted the osteogenic differentiation including the activity of ALP, and the protein expression of Col1 and Runx2. lα, 25-(OH)₂D₃ can alleviate cadmium-induced osteogenic toxicity in White Leghorn chickens in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Trace Minerals in Livestock and Poultry Production)

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13 pages, 2814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Insight into the Identification of Potential SNP Markers for the Genomic Characterization of Buffalo Breeds in Pakistan

by Muhammad Anas, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Asif, Waqas Rafique Ali and Shahid Mansoor

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152543 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

Domestic buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), known as water buffaloes, play a key role as versatile multipurpose agricultural animals in the Asiatic region. Pakistan, with the second-largest buffalo population in the world, holds a rich domestication history of buffaloes. The overall trends in [...] Read more.

Domestic buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), known as water buffaloes, play a key role as versatile multipurpose agricultural animals in the Asiatic region. Pakistan, with the second-largest buffalo population in the world, holds a rich domestication history of buffaloes. The overall trends in buffalo production demand the genomic characterization of Pakistani buffalo breeds. To this end, the resequencing data of Pakistani breeds, along with buffalo breeds from 13 other countries, were retrieved from our previous study. This dataset, which contained 34,671,886 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), was analyzed through a pipeline that was developed to compare possible allele differences among breeds at each SNP position. In contrast, other available tools only check for positional SNP differences for breed-specific markers. In total, 1918, 1549, 404, and 341 breed-specific markers were identified to characterize the Nili, Nili–Ravi, Azakheli, and Kundi breeds of Pakistani buffalo, respectively. Sufficient evidence in the form of phenotypic data, principal component analysis, admixture analysis, and linkage analysis showed that the Nili breed has maintained its distinct breed status despite sharing a close evolutionary relationship with the Nili–Ravi breed of buffalo. In this era of genome science, the conservation of these breeds and the further validation of the given selection markers in larger populations is a pressing need. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Genetics and Genomics)

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21 pages, 7888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Gene Networks in Three Components of Immune System Provides Novel Insights into Immune Response Mechanisms against Edwardsiella tarda Infection in Paralichthys olivaceus

by Xiumei Liu, Xiaokai Bao, Zan Li and Quanqi Zhang

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152542 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 955

Abstract

As a quintessential marine teleost, Paralichthys olivaceus demonstrates vulnerability to a range of pathogens. Long-term infection with Edwardsiella tarda significantly inhibits fish growth and even induces death. Gills, blood, and kidneys, pivotal components of the immune system in teleosts, elicit vital regulatory roles [...] Read more.

As a quintessential marine teleost, Paralichthys olivaceus demonstrates vulnerability to a range of pathogens. Long-term infection with Edwardsiella tarda significantly inhibits fish growth and even induces death. Gills, blood, and kidneys, pivotal components of the immune system in teleosts, elicit vital regulatory roles in immune response processes including immune cell differentiation, diseased cell clearance, and other immunity-related mechanisms. This study entailed infecting P. olivaceus with E. tarda for 48 h and examining transcriptome data from the three components at 0, 8, and 48 h post-infection employing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Network analyses revealed a series of immune response processes after infection and identified multiple key modules and key, core, and hub genes including xpo1, src, tlr13, stat1, and mefv. By innovatively amalgamating WGCNA and PPI network methodologies, our investigation facilitated an in-depth examination of immune response mechanisms within three significant P. olivaceus components post-E. tarda infection. Our results provided valuable genetic resources for understanding immunity in P. olivaceus immune-related components and assisted us in further exploring the molecular mechanisms of E. tarda infection in teleosts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)

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12 pages, 1854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy and Safety of Neem Oil for the Topical Treatment of Bloodsucking Lice Linognathus stenopsis in Goats under Field Conditions

by Alessio Cotticelli, Roberta Matera, Nadia Piscopo, Antonio Bosco, Salvatore Claps, Paola Del Serrone, Aloma Zoratti, Elisa Castaldo, Vincenzo Veneziano, Domenico Rufrano, Gianluca Neglia and Francesco Buono

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152541 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1153

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neem oil on caprine pediculosis and on kids’ growth performances. The neem (Azadirachta indica) belongs to the Meliaceae family, and in Eastern countries it is mainly considered [...] Read more.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neem oil on caprine pediculosis and on kids’ growth performances. The neem (Azadirachta indica) belongs to the Meliaceae family, and in Eastern countries it is mainly considered for the insecticidal activities of the kernel oil. The neem seeds contain bioactive principles, such as azadirachtin A, salannin, nimbin, and nimbolide. The trial was carried out on 24 kids, 120 days old, maintained in open yards. Animals were divided in 4 homogeneous groups (n = 6 animals/group) based on age, louse count, body condition score (BCS) and live body weight: Control Group (C, saline NaCl, 0.9%), Neem Group 1 (NO-100, 100 mL of neem oil per 10 kg), Neem Group 2 (NO-200, 200 mL/10 kg), Neem Group 3 (NO-300, 300 mL/10 kg). The treatments were performed by spraying the insecticide on the goat’s body. The study lasted 56 days, and weekly, the kids underwent louse count, BCS and body weight determination, and FAMACHA score. Data were analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The species of lice identified was Linognathus stenopsis. Kids belonging to NO-200 and NO-300 showed a stronger reduction of louse count throughout the study (>95%). The daily weight gain recorded was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in NO-300 than C. No differences were found for BCS and FAMACHA scores. The results of this trial showed that the administration of neem oil to control caprine pediculosis caused by sucking lice represents an alternative to synthetic compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Diseases of Small Ruminants)

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11 pages, 869 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Productive Performances of Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Their Crosses with a Commercial Strain in Conventional and Free-Range Farming Systems

by Edoardo Fiorilla, Marco Birolo, Ugo Ala, Gerolamo Xiccato, Angela Trocino, Achille Schiavone and Cecilia Mugnai

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2540; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152540 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1647

Abstract

Local chicken breeds play a vital role in promoting sustainability by preserving genetic diversity, enhancing resilience, and supporting local economies. These breeds are adapted to local climates and conditions, requiring fewer external resources and inputs for their maintenance. By conserving and utilizing local [...] Read more.

Local chicken breeds play a vital role in promoting sustainability by preserving genetic diversity, enhancing resilience, and supporting local economies. These breeds are adapted to local climates and conditions, requiring fewer external resources and inputs for their maintenance. By conserving and utilizing local chicken breeds, sustainable farming practices can be incentivized, maintaining ecosystem balance and ensuring food security for future generations. The present study aimed at evaluating the growth performance and slaughter traits of two local Italian chicken breeds (Bionda Piemontese and Robusta Maculata) and their crosses with a medium-growth genotype (Sasso chicken^®) reared in conventional and free-range farming systems. The conventional system used a high-energy high-protein diet in a closed barn with controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting, and a stocking density of 33 kg/m². The free-range system used a low-input diet (low-energy low-protein diet composed of local and GMO-free feed ingredients), uncontrolled environmental conditions, and a stocking density of 21 kg/m² in a barn with free access to an outdoor area. The birds were slaughtered at 84 days of age in both systems. The crossbred chickens showed the best results for growth performance in both farming systems compared to local breeds. Within genotype, the final live weight of chickens was similar in the two farming systems. In conclusion, slow-growth crossbreeds should be used in alternative farming systems, demonstrating better performance than pure local breeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Genotype × Environment Interaction on Welfare, Sustainability, and Quality of Poultry Production)

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14 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Dietary Supplementation with Zinc-Chromium Mixture, Organic Selenium, or Their Combinations on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Blood Profiles of Broilers under Heat Stress Conditions

by Abdelhameed S. A. Mohamed, Maha A. Abd El Latif, Eman A. M. Hussein, Enas M. A. Toson, Mohamed Saleh, Dariusz Kokoszynski, Shaaban S. Elnesr, Mohamed Mohany, Salim S. Al-Rejaie and Hamada Elwan

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152539 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1523

Abstract

To determine the effects of organic selenium (0.0–0.6 mg and 0.9 mg Se/Kg diet) and Zn-Cr mixture (100 mg Zn/Kg diet plus 1.5 mg Cr/Kg diet) on broiler chicken performance, carcass traits, blood hematology, and biochemistry under heat stress conditions, this study was [...] Read more.

To determine the effects of organic selenium (0.0–0.6 mg and 0.9 mg Se/Kg diet) and Zn-Cr mixture (100 mg Zn/Kg diet plus 1.5 mg Cr/Kg diet) on broiler chicken performance, carcass traits, blood hematology, and biochemistry under heat stress conditions, this study was conducted. Under temperatures between 30.21 to 31.82 °C, 240 broiler chickens (Ross-308), which were 7-day-old, were randomly assigned to one of six treatments: T1 (control), T2 (100 mg Zn per kg of diet and 1.5 mg Cr per kg of diet), T3 (0.6 mg Se per kg of diet), T4 (0.9 mg Se per kg of diet), T5 (100 mg Zn, 1.5 mg Cr and (LSe), and T6 (100 mg Zn, 1.5 mg Cr and (HSe)). At 35 days old, the chicks fed a diet containing Zn-Cr with low or high organic selenium (organic-Se) outweighed the control group in terms of live body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). In comparison to the control treatment, birds fed diets supplemented with Zn-Cr or organic-Se (LSe, HSe) significantly increased their serum levels of total protein and total antioxidant capacity. However, these additives resulted in a decrease (p < 0.01) in their serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid. Together, it was found that trace elements (Zn-Cr and organic-Se) may greatly lessen the impacts of heat stress on broilers by promoting growth performance and boosting metabolic processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Poultry Production: Physiology and Nutrition)

15 pages, 1134 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mastitis in Dairy Cattle: On-Farm Diagnostics and Future Perspectives

by Chiara Tommasoni, Enrico Fiore, Anastasia Lisuzzo and Matteo Gianesella

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152538 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3492

Abstract

Mastitis is one of the most important diseases in dairy cattle farms, and it can affect the health status of the udder and the quantity and quality of milk yielded. The correct management of mastitis is based both on preventive and treatment action. [...] Read more.

Mastitis is one of the most important diseases in dairy cattle farms, and it can affect the health status of the udder and the quantity and quality of milk yielded. The correct management of mastitis is based both on preventive and treatment action. With the increasing concern for antimicrobial resistance, it is strongly recommended to treat only the mammary quarters presenting intramammary infection. For this reason, a timely and accurate diagnosis is fundamental. The possibility to detect and characterize mastitis directly on farm would be very useful to choose the correct management protocol. Some on-field diagnostic tools are already routinely applied to detect mastitis, such as the California Mastitis Test and on-farm culture. Other instruments are emerging to perform a timely diagnosis and to characterize mastitis, such as Infra-Red Thermography, mammary ultrasound evaluation and blood gas analysis, even if their application still needs to be improved. The main purpose of this article is to present an overview of the methods currently used to control, detect, and characterize mastitis in dairy cows, in order to perform a timely diagnosis and to choose the most appropriate management protocol, with a specific focus on on-farm diagnostic tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)

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17 pages, 1737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Breeding Substrate Containing Distillation Residues of Mediterranean Medicinal Aromatic Plants Modulates the Effects of Tenebrio molitor as Fishmeal Substitute on Blood Signal Transduction and WBC Activation of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)

by Efthimia Antonopoulou, Markos Kolygas, Nikolas Panteli, Evangelia Gouva, Panagiota Kontogeorgiou, Konstantinos Feidantsis, Achilleas Chatzopoulos, Konstantina Bitchava, Christos Zacharis, Eleftherios Bonos, Ilias Giannenas, Ioannis Skoufos, Stefanos S. Andreadis, Georgios Skoulakis, Christos G. Athanassiou and Cosmas Nathanailides

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152537 - 06 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1251

Abstract

This work assesses the dietary use of two insect meals of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae reared in conventional (TM-10) or MAP-enriched substrates (MAP-TM-10) as fish meal replacements (10%) in the diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish (n = 4500; [...] Read more.

This work assesses the dietary use of two insect meals of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae reared in conventional (TM-10) or MAP-enriched substrates (MAP-TM-10) as fish meal replacements (10%) in the diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish (n = 4500; 207.19 ± 1.47 g) were divided into three groups with triplicates: control (fed conventional diet), TM-10, and MAP-TM-10 groups. The fish were reared in floating cages for 12 weeks and the dietary effects on white blood cell activation, heat shock proteins, MAPKs, and apoptosis of the fish were evaluated. The MAP-TM-10 group exhibited the highest eosinophilic induction. Phosphorylated levels of p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, HSP70, and HSP90 increased in the TM-10 and MAP-TM-10 groups. In terms of apoptosis, Bax levels were lower in the TM groups compared to the control, and the MAP-TM-10 group showed even lower levels than the TM-10 group. Bcl-2 levels increased in the TM-10 group compared to the control, and further increased in the MAP-TM-10 group. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, an apoptosis indicator, decreased in the TM groups, with the MAP-TM-10 group showing a further decrease compared to TM-10. These findings suggest that insects’ breeding substrate being enriched with MAPs modulated the effect of TM on cellular stress and apoptosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)

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15 pages, 3086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Food Niche Overlap and Interspecific Relationship between the Sympatric Tibetan Macaque and Grey Snub-Nosed Monkey

by Li Yue, Cheng Wang, Bingshun Meng, Bo Xie, Heqin Cao, Haijun Su and Mingming Zhang

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2536; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152536 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1188

Abstract

Assessing the trophic niche and interspecific relationships between related species and determining how the species maintain differences in nutritional niches while coexisting in the same area are important topics in ecological research. Therefore, exploring the mechanism of food resource utilization, competition and coexistence [...] Read more.

Assessing the trophic niche and interspecific relationships between related species and determining how the species maintain differences in nutritional niches while coexisting in the same area are important topics in ecological research. Therefore, exploring the mechanism of food resource utilization, competition and coexistence among species distributed in the same region is important. In this study, we used fecal samples and metagenome sequencing technology to study the plant feeding habits and coexistence mechanisms of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) and grey snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus brelichi) within the same area. In the winter of 2020, we collected a total of 40 fecal samples from Tibetan macaques and grey snub-nosed monkeys; of those, 29 samples were considered valid and were analyzed using DNA metabarcoding. The results showed that in winter, Tibetan macaques consumed plants from 117 families and 184 genera, whereas grey snub-nosed monkeys consumed plants from 109 families and 165 genera. Diversity analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in the food composition of Tibetan macaques and grey snub-nosed monkeys. Tibetan macaques had a broader food niche width than grey snub-nosed monkeys at the family and genus levels. In winter, the food niches of Tibetan macaques and grey snub-nosed monkeys almost entirely overlapped (0.99). Our research provides detailed dietary data for Tibetan macaques and grey snub-nosed monkeys and valuable information that can aid in conservation efforts targeting these species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Endangered Species)

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12 pages, 334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Licury Cake in Diets for Lactating Goats: Intake, Digestibility, Feeding Behavior, Milk Production and Composition, and Nitrogen Metabolism

by Fernanda G. Ferreira, Laudí C. Leite, Henry D. R. Alba, Douglas dos S. Pina, Stefanie A. Santos, Manuela S. L. Tosto, Carlindo S. Rodrigues, Robério R. Silva, José E. de Freitas Júnior, Bruna M. A. de C. Mesquita and Gleidson G. P. de Carvalho

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2535; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152535 - 06 Aug 2023

Viewed by 818

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of licury cake (LC) inclusion in the diets of lactating goats on productive and metabolic performance. Twelve lactating goats, eight Saanen and four Anglo-Nubian, were distributed in a triplicate 4 × 4 Latin [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of licury cake (LC) inclusion in the diets of lactating goats on productive and metabolic performance. Twelve lactating goats, eight Saanen and four Anglo-Nubian, were distributed in a triplicate 4 × 4 Latin square design, with four treatments (0, 66.7, 133.3, and 200 g kg⁻¹ of dry matter—DM). On the one hand, the LC inclusion increased neutral detergent fiber, indigestible neutral detergent fiber, and potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber (p < 0.001) intake. On the other hand, LC inclusion reduced ether extract and non-fibrous carbohydrate (p < 0.001) intake. There was a reduction in dry matter digestibility (p = 0.018) and an increase in neutral detergent fiber digestibility (p = 0.036). Feeding (p = 0.005) and rumination (p < 0.001) efficiencies increased with LC inclusion. The nitrogen balance was similar for all tested diets; however, we observed recycling metabolism. Based on the studied parameters, mainly milk production and composition, we recommend the LC inclusion of up to 200 g kg⁻¹ DM in diets for lactating goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

17 pages, 5046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Acute Exposure to Ammonia on Oxidative Stress, Hematological Parameters, Flesh Quality, and Gill Morphological Changes of the Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

by Meijie Guo, Zhenkun Xu, Hongzhi Zhang, Jun Mei and Jing Xie

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2534; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152534 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1165

Abstract

Ammonia is considered to be the major chemical pollutant causing fish poisoning in aquaculture. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of acute ammonia exposure on the large yellow croaker’s meat quality, gill morphology, liver oxidative stress, and hematological parameters. The fish were [...] Read more.

Ammonia is considered to be the major chemical pollutant causing fish poisoning in aquaculture. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of acute ammonia exposure on the large yellow croaker’s meat quality, gill morphology, liver oxidative stress, and hematological parameters. The fish were exposed to total ammonia nitrogen concentrations of 0, 2.96, 5.92, and 8.87 mg/L for 48 h, respectively. The findings demonstrated that all ammonia-exposed fish had higher liver lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic oxalate transaminase activities. The glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels in 8.87 mg/L total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) were higher than other samples. The total protein, albumin, and triglyceride levels in serum decreased significantly in ammonia-exposed samples. After 48 h of ammonia exposure, superoxide dismutase activities showed a 76.1%, 118.0%, and 156.8% increase when fish were exposed to 2.96, 5.92, and 8.87 mg/L TAN, respectively. Catalase activities and glutathione contents were considerably higher (p < 0.05) in all ammonia-treated samples compared to 0 mg/L TAN. The ammonia-treated gill lamellae become thicker, shorter, and curved. Additionally, the ammonia exposure resulted in the accumulation of free amino acids and the loss of nucleotides. The inosine monophosphate and adenosine monophosphate contents in the flesh were decreased after 12 h of exposure to 2.96, 5.92, and 8.87 mg/L ammonia compared to the control group. Overall, large yellow croakers exposed to ammonia for 6 h presented not only changes in serum composition but also oxidative stress, liver and gill tissue damage and flesh quality deterioration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Pollution and Other Stressors on Fish Health)

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13 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polymorphisms at Candidate Genes for Fat Content and Fatty Acids Composition: Effects on Sheep Milk Production and Fatty Acid Profile Using Two Dietary Supplementations

by Serena Tumino, Matteo Bognanno, Giorgio Chessari, Marco Tolone, Salvatore Bordonaro, Fabrizio Mangano, Donata Marletta and Marcella Avondo

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152533 - 06 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1225

Abstract

The nutritional value of sheep’s milk and its derivatives is influenced by the lipid fraction, which is affected by diet and genetics. This study aimed to explore the genetic variations in the DGAT1 and SCD genes and assessed the impact of the DGAT1 [...] Read more.

The nutritional value of sheep’s milk and its derivatives is influenced by the lipid fraction, which is affected by diet and genetics. This study aimed to explore the genetic variations in the DGAT1 and SCD genes and assessed the impact of the DGAT1 genotype on milk quality in Valle del Belìce sheep, considering diet supplementation with carob pulp and barley grain. Among the potentially polymorphic sites, only DGAT1 g.127 C > A and SCD g.87 C > A showed variability. The DGAT1 genotype did not significantly impact milk yield and composition, except for higher urea content in the CA genotypes than in the CC ones. Carob pulp increased the milk fat content compared to barley grain. Genetic variation in DGAT1 was associated with changes in the milk fatty acid profile; specifically, the CA genotype exhibited higher levels of short-chain fatty acids and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to the CC genotype. Carob pulp supplementation increased saturated fatty acids and reduced unsaturated fractions, leading to milk with higher atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. No significant interaction was found between genotype and diet. This study provides insights into the genetic and dietary factors influencing sheep’s milk composition. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these genetic variations on milk production and composition, as well as to determine optimal levels of carob pulp for improving fat percentage and promoting sustainable sheep breeding practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Animal-Derived Non-Cow Milk and Milk Products)

17 pages, 7049 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Different Feed Particle Size on Gastrointestinal Tract Morphology, Ileal Digesta Viscosity, and Blood Biochemical Parameters as Markers of Health Status in Broiler Chickens

by Jakub Novotný, Lucie Horáková, Michal Řiháček, Dana Zálešáková, Ondřej Šťastník, Eva Mrkvicová, Vojtěch Kumbár and Leoš Pavlata

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152532 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1589

Abstract

The study is focused on how the physical structure of the feed affects the health status of broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feed particle size in broiler diets on gastrointestinal tract morphology, digesta viscosity, and [...] Read more.

The study is focused on how the physical structure of the feed affects the health status of broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feed particle size in broiler diets on gastrointestinal tract morphology, digesta viscosity, and blood biochemical parameters. A total of 90 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into three different experimental groups (with five replicates per pen), with 6 birds per cage. The first experimental group (Coarse) was fed with the coarsest particle size, with feed with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 1111.26 µm, the next group (Medium) was fed with a less coarse feed size of GMD 959.89 µm, and the last group (Fine) was fed a diet with a fine feed particle size of GMD 730.48 µm. The use of coarse feed particle size in the diet had a positive effect on the gizzard weight and small intestinal villi height and crypt depth, which increased the surface area intended for digesting nutrients. The use of finely ground particles in the feed increased the level of gamma-glutamyl transferase and at the same time, decreased the level of urea, which could indicate adverse changes in the liver. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

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9 pages, 1459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Return of Sound Production as a Biomarker of Bottlenose Dolphin Emergence from Anesthesia

by Brittany L. Jones, Abby M. McClain, Jessica J. Sportelli and Carolina Ruiz Le-Bert

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2531; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152531 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1460

Abstract

(1) Background: When a human or animal is recovering from general anesthesia, their medical team uses several behavioral and physiological parameters to assess their emergence from the unconscious state to complete wakefulness. However, the return of auditory and acoustic behaviors indicative of the [...] Read more.

(1) Background: When a human or animal is recovering from general anesthesia, their medical team uses several behavioral and physiological parameters to assess their emergence from the unconscious state to complete wakefulness. However, the return of auditory and acoustic behaviors indicative of the complete return of consciousness in humans can be difficult to assess in a completely aquatic non-human mammal. Dolphins produce sound using the nasal system while using both passive auditory and active biological sonar (echolocation) to navigate and interrogate their environment. The sounds generated by dolphins, such as whistles and clicks, however, can be difficult to hear when the animal is submerged. (2) Methods: We implemented a system to audibly and visually (i.e., using spectrograms) monitor the underwater acoustic behavior of dolphins recovering from anesthesia. (3) Results: Eleven of the twelve recorded dolphins began echolocating within 92 min (Mean = 00:43:41 HH:MM:SS) following spontaneous respirations. In all cases, the dolphins echolocated prior to whistling (Mean = 04:57:47). The return of echolocation was significantly correlated to the return of the righting reflex (Mean = 1:13:44), a commonly used behavioral indicator of dolphin emergence. (4) Conclusions: We suggest that acoustic monitoring for the onset of click production may be a useful supplement to the established medical and behavioral biomarkers of restoring consciousness following anesthesia in bottlenose dolphins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Zoo Animals)

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19 pages, 399 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Toxoplasma gondii in Animals in Greece: A FoodBorne Pathogen of Public Health Importance

by Isaia Symeonidou, Georgios Sioutas, Thomai Lazou, Athanasios I. Gelasakis and Elias Papadopoulos

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152530 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1899

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoon with a complex life cycle and the second most important foodborne pathogen in Europe. Surveillance of toxoplasmosis is based on national considerations since there are no mandatory controls along the food chain in the European Union, and [...] Read more.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoon with a complex life cycle and the second most important foodborne pathogen in Europe. Surveillance of toxoplasmosis is based on national considerations since there are no mandatory controls along the food chain in the European Union, and underreporting of meat is still a problem in many countries like Greece. The current review provides an overview of T. gondii prevalence, associated risk factors, and surveillance in animals in Greece, focusing on the transmission role of meat and highlighting the control measures that should be adopted by consumers. Sows, wild boars, hares, equines, and cats had lower, while sheep and goats generally had higher seroprevalence than their respective pooled European and global values. Seroprevalence in chickens was similar between Greece and Europe, while there was high variation in cattle studies, with no data regarding dairy products. Though a comprehensive meat safety assurance system is the most effective approach to control the principal biological hazards associated with meat, such as T. gondii, the prerequisite risk categorisation of farms and abattoirs based on EFSA’s proposed harmonised epidemiological indicators has not materialised as yet in Greece. Therefore, comprehensive control strategies are still required to ensure food safety and safeguard public health. Full article

47 pages, 8864 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Bats of Greece: An Updated Review of Their Distribution, Ecology and Conservation

by Panagiotis Georgiakakis, Artemis Kafkaletou Diez, Ioanna Salvarina, Petr Benda, Geoffrey Billington, Christian Dietz, Jacquie Billington, David Cove, Stephen Davison, Martyn Cooke and Eleni Papadatou

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2529; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152529 - 05 Aug 2023

Viewed by 3480

Abstract

Bats of Greece have been studied since the second half of the 19th century. Their distribution and ecology, however, remain poorly understood. Conservation efforts for the protection of the roosting and foraging habitats of their populations in Greece are limited. To date, 35 [...] Read more.

Bats of Greece have been studied since the second half of the 19th century. Their distribution and ecology, however, remain poorly understood. Conservation efforts for the protection of the roosting and foraging habitats of their populations in Greece are limited. To date, 35 bat species have been recorded from Greece. Four species (Eptesicus anatolicus, Plecotus auritus, Myotis brandtii and Rousettus aegyptiacus) have a limited distribution in the country and the presence of one species (Myotis mystacinus) requires verification. The present study summarises all existing knowledge and adds several hundred new records on the distribution of bats of Greece. Additionally, it provides a summary of new insights on various aspects of their roosting ecology, foraging habitat use, altitudinal distribution, winter activity and landscape characteristics around major roosts. Finally, it discusses the current research and conservation needs of Greek bats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mammal Ecology and Conservation in Southeastern Europe)

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24 pages, 9923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Phylogeography of Three Marine Species with Different PLD Modes Reveals Two Genetic Breaks across the Southern Caribbean Sea

by Juan Carlos Narváez-Barandica, Julián F. Quintero-Galvis, Juan Carlos Aguirre-Pabón, Lyda R. Castro, Ricardo Betancur and Arturo Acero Pizarro

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2528; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152528 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1220

Abstract

The comparative phylogeography of marine species with contrasting dispersal potential across the southern Caribbean Sea was evaluated by the presence of two putative barriers: the Magdalena River plume (MRP) and the combination of the absence of a rocky bottom and the almost permanent [...] Read more.

The comparative phylogeography of marine species with contrasting dispersal potential across the southern Caribbean Sea was evaluated by the presence of two putative barriers: the Magdalena River plume (MRP) and the combination of the absence of a rocky bottom and the almost permanent upwelling in the La Guajira Peninsula (ARB + PUG). Three species with varying biological and ecological characteristics (i.e., dispersal potentials) that inhabit shallow rocky bottoms were selected: Cittarium pica (PLD < 6 days), Acanthemblemaria rivasi (PLD < 22 days), and Nerita tessellata (PLD > 60 days). We generated a set of SNPs for the three species using the ddRad-seq technique. Samples of each species were collected in five locations from Capurganá to La Guajira. For the first time, evidence of a phylogeographic break caused by the MRP is provided, mainly for A. rivasi (AMOVA: Φ_CT = 0.420). The ARB + PUG barrier causes another break for A. rivasi (Φ_CT = 0.406) and C. pica (Φ_CT = 0.224). Three populations (K = 3) were identified for A. rivasi and C. pica, while N. tessellata presented one population (K = 1). The Mantel correlogram indicated that A. rivasi and C. pica fit the hierarchical population model, and only the A. rivasi and C. pica comparisons showed phylogeographic congruence. Our results demonstrate how the biological traits of these three species and the biogeographic barriers have influenced their phylogeographic structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)

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17 pages, 984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digestibility and Palatability of the Diet and Intestinal Functionality of Dogs Fed a Blend of Yeast Cell Wall and Oregano Essential Oil

by Nayara Mota Miranda Soares, Taís Silvino Bastos, Gislaine Cristina Bill Kaelle, Renata Bacila Morais dos Santos de Souza, Simone Gisele de Oliveira and Ananda Portella Félix

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152527 - 05 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1477

Abstract

Feed additives, such as prebiotics and essential oils, are used in pet foods and can affect digestibility, palatability, and intestinal functionality of dogs. The combined effects of yeast cell wall and oregano essential oil on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and palatability of [...] Read more.

Feed additives, such as prebiotics and essential oils, are used in pet foods and can affect digestibility, palatability, and intestinal functionality of dogs. The combined effects of yeast cell wall and oregano essential oil on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and palatability of diet, intestinal fermentation products, and fecal microbiota in dogs were analyzed. Eighteen adult dogs were fed for 20 days with three dry extruded diets for adult dogs: control (without the additive), a diet containing 1.5 kg/ton of yeast cell wall and oregano essential oil (1.5YCO), and a diet containing 3.0 kg/ton of yeast cell wall and oregano essential oil (3.0YCO). The inclusion of both levels of YCO reduced the intake ratio. The addition of 3.0YCO reduced the ATTD of dry matter, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were greater putrescine and cadaverine concentrations and lower histamine and ammonia (p < 0.05) in the feces of dogs fed 3.0YCO. In addition, fecal odor of dogs fed YCO was less fetid than the control group (p < 0.05). There was greater fecal bacterial diversity in dogs fed with both dietary concentrations of YCO evaluated (p < 0.05). Dogs fed 1.5YCO and 3.0YCO showed higher relative abundance of Blautia and Faecalibacterium and lower abundance of Streptococcus (p < 0.05) in the feces, in comparison to the control group. Given the modulation of microorganisms considered beneficial and the lower fecal concentrations of histamine, phenols, and ammonia, the YCO blend resulted in indicators of improvement of intestinal functionality in dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

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14 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Milk Yields and Milk Fat Composition Promoted by Pantothenate and Thiamine via Stimulating Nutrient Digestion and Fatty Acid Synthesis in Dairy Cows

by Jing Zhang, Yapeng Liu, Lijun Bu, Qiang Liu, Caixia Pei, Gang Guo and Wenjie Huo

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152526 - 05 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1159

Abstract

Considering the synergistic effect of pantothenate and thiamine on the regulation of energy metabolism, this study investigated the influences of coated calcium pantothenate (CCP) and coated thiamine (CT) on milk production and composition, nutrients digestion, and expressions of genes involved in fatty acids [...] Read more.

Considering the synergistic effect of pantothenate and thiamine on the regulation of energy metabolism, this study investigated the influences of coated calcium pantothenate (CCP) and coated thiamine (CT) on milk production and composition, nutrients digestion, and expressions of genes involved in fatty acids synthesis in mammary glands. Forty-four multiparous Chinese Holstein cows (2.8 ± 0.19 of parity, 772 ± 12.3 kg of body weight [BW], 65.8 ± 8.6 days in milk [DIM] and 35.3 ± 1.9 kg/d of milk production, mean ± SD) were blocked by parity, BW, DIM, and milk production, and they were allocated into one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial block design. Additional CCP (0 mg/kg [CCP−] or 55 mg/kg dry matter [DM] of calcium pantothenate from CCP [CCP+]) and CT (0 g/kg [CT−] or 5.3 mg/kg DM of thiamine from CT [CT+]) were hand-mixed into the top one-third of total mixed ration. Both CCP and CT additives increased milk production, fat content, true protein, and lactose by promoting nutrient digestibility. The CCP or/and CT supplementation induced the elevation of C11:0, C12:0, C13:0, C14:0, C14:1, C15:0, C15:1, C16:00, C16:1, C24:00, C24:1 fatty acids, saturated fatty acid, and C4-16 fatty acid contents in milk fat; but it decreased C17-22 fatty acid content. Ruminal total VFA content was increased, but pH was decreased by both additives. The ruminal fermentation pattern was altered, and a tendency of acetate formation was implied by the increased acetate-to-propionate ratio after both additives’ supplementation. The expressions of PPARγ, SREBPF1, ACACA, FASN, SCD, and FABP3 mRNAs were enhanced by CCP or CT addition, but the relative expression of LPL mRNA was upregulated by CT addition only. Additionally, blood glucose, triglyceride, insulin-like growth factor-1, and total antioxidant capacity were promoted by both additives. The combination of CCP and CT more effectively increased the ruminal total VFA concentration, the acetate to propionate ratio, and blood glucose level, and decreased ammoniacal nitrogen concentration than that achieved by CCP or CT alone. The results suggested that CCP and CT supplementation stimulated lactation performance by promoting nutrient digestion and fatty acid synthesis in the mammary glands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

17 pages, 3263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Traces of Human-Mediated Selection in the Gene Pool of Red Deer Populations

by Nina Moravčíková, Radovan Kasarda, Radoslav Židek, John Colin McEwan, Rudiger Brauning, Tomás Landete-Castillejos, Louis Chonco, Juraj Ciberej and Jaroslav Pokorádi

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2525; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152525 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 917

Abstract

In this study, we analysed the effect of human-mediated selection on the gene pool of wild and farmed red deer populations based on genotyping-by-sequencing data. The farmed red deer sample covered populations spread across seven countries and two continents (France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, [...] Read more.

In this study, we analysed the effect of human-mediated selection on the gene pool of wild and farmed red deer populations based on genotyping-by-sequencing data. The farmed red deer sample covered populations spread across seven countries and two continents (France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, New Zealand, Poland, and Slovakia). The Slovak and Spain wild red deer populations (the latter one in a large game estate) were used as control outgroups. The gene flow intensity, relationship and admixture among populations were tested by the Bayesian approach and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC). The highest gene diversity (H_e = 0.19) and the lowest genomic inbreeding (F_HOM = 0.04) found in Slovak wild population confirmed our hypothesis that artificial selection accompanied by bottlenecks has led to the increase in overall genomic homozygosity. The Bayesian approach and DAPC consistently identified three separate genetic groups. As expected, the farmed populations were clustered together, while the Slovak and Spanish populations formed two separate clusters. Identified traces of genetic admixture in the gene pool of farmed populations reflected a strong contemporary migration rate between them. This study suggests that even if the history of deer farming has been shorter than traditional livestock species, it may leave significant traces in the genome structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)

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9 pages, 2747 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

First Record of Cetacean Killed in an Artisanal Fish Aggregating Device in the Mediterranean Sea

by Valerio Manfrini, Caterina Maria Fortuna and Cristiano Cocumelli

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2524; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152524 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1068

Abstract

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are anchored floating structures often made with cheap scrapped materials and used to aggregate pelagic fish species under their artificial shadows. Globally, the dangerous impact of FADs is well known. They pose a severe threat as a source of [...] Read more.

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are anchored floating structures often made with cheap scrapped materials and used to aggregate pelagic fish species under their artificial shadows. Globally, the dangerous impact of FADs is well known. They pose a severe threat as a source of bycatch, as a danger to navigation, and with their high potential to become marine litter. Unintended entanglement and consequent mortality in FADs of vulnerable (e.g., sharks, sea turtles, and cetaceans) and commercial species is a serious concern for several international inter-governmental bodies (e.g., EU, GFCM, and IWC). This work describes the first case of a cetacean, a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), entangled in a FAD in the Mediterranean Sea. A young male of striped dolphins was found dead along the coast of Lazio (central Tyrrhenian Sea) with its peduncle entangled in typical debris from illegal/artisanal FADs (i.e., a nylon rope, teared gardening plastic sheets, bush branches, and scrapped empty plastic bottles). Although this is the first confirmed case of a cetacean entangled in a FAD in Mediterranean waters, given the extent of the deployment of anchored FADs, the scale of this type of interaction with protected species might be seriously underestimated. Therefore, actions and monitoring need to be implemented urgently to effectively protect and conserve marine biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Relationship between Marine Mammal Ecology and Human)

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13 pages, 1891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Danish National Somatic Cell Count Data to Assess the Need for Dry-Off Treatment in Holstein Dairy Cattle

by Maj Beldring Henningsen, Matt Denwood, Carsten Thure Kirkeby and Søren Saxmose Nielsen

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2523; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152523 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 976

Abstract

In Denmark, PCR testing of dairy cattle is commonly used to select animals for the antibacterial treatment of intramammary infection (IMI) during the dry-off period. IMI is associated with a high somatic cell count (SCC), routinely recorded for milk quality control for most [...] Read more.

In Denmark, PCR testing of dairy cattle is commonly used to select animals for the antibacterial treatment of intramammary infection (IMI) during the dry-off period. IMI is associated with a high somatic cell count (SCC), routinely recorded for milk quality control for most commercial dairy herds. This study aimed to compare SCC curves over the lactation among dairy cows with positive vs. negative PCR test results for four major IMI pathogens. Data from 133,877 PCR-tested Holstein cows from 1364 Danish conventional dairy herds were used to fit a nonlinear mixed-effects model using a modified four-parameter Wilmink function. We stratified the data into first, second, third or fourth and later parity and fitted Wilmink curves to all SCC observations between 6 and 305 days in milk. The PCR tests were taken before dry-off at the end of the lactation to investigate which animals qualified for selective dry cow therapy. A PCR Ct-value of 37 and below was used to determine if an animal was PCR positive for any of the following IMI pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Str. dysgalactiae and Str. uberis. Our findings showed that mean SCC curve fits were higher for PCR-positive animals in all four parity groups and across lactations. The use of SCC data fitted to the entire lactation for multiple lactations enabled quantification of overall differences in SCC curves between cattle with and without detected IMI, adjusted for parity group and stage of lactation. These findings are relevant to the use of SCC to support treatment decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)

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16 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scoparia dulcis L. Extract Relieved High Stocking Density-Induced Stress in Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus)

by Gangfu Chen, Min Wu, Huatao Li, Jing Xu, Haijing Liu, Wenhao Du, Qihui Yang, Lin Feng and Jun Jiang

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2522; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152522 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 859

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Scoparia dulcis extract (SDE) on stress induced by high stocking density and Cu and trichlorfon exposure in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The results showed that these stressors exerted detrimental effects [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Scoparia dulcis extract (SDE) on stress induced by high stocking density and Cu and trichlorfon exposure in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The results showed that these stressors exerted detrimental effects in fish, such as inhibition of growth performance, reduced feed intake, and interruption of fish locomotion. Under high stocking density, dietary SDE supplementation increased the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of amylase, catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) and decreased the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the intestine of crucian carp. A similar trend was presented in the hepatopancreas under Cu exposure. Dietary SDE supplementation enhanced the activities of CAT, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase in the muscle of crucian carp under trichlorfon exposure. The optimum dietary SDE supplementation levels were 4.07, 4.33, and 3.95 g kg⁻¹ diet based on the recovery rate of weight gain (RWG), feed intake (FI), and inhibitory rate of rollover (IR) for crucian carp under high stocking density and Cu and trichlorfon exposure, respectively. Overall, dietary supplementation with SDE may be a useful nutritional strategy for relieving these stresses in aquatic animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Different Additives in Aquatic Animal Diets to Mitigate Stress)

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15 pages, 4845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cattle Target Segmentation Method in Multi-Scenes Using Improved DeepLabV3+ Method

by Tao Feng, Yangyang Guo, Xiaoping Huang and Yongliang Qiao

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2521; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152521 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1153

Abstract

Obtaining animal regions and the relative position relationship of animals in the scene is conducive to further studying animal habits, which is of great significance for smart animal farming. However, the complex breeding environment still makes detection difficult. To address the problems of [...] Read more.

Obtaining animal regions and the relative position relationship of animals in the scene is conducive to further studying animal habits, which is of great significance for smart animal farming. However, the complex breeding environment still makes detection difficult. To address the problems of poor target segmentation effects and the weak generalization ability of existing semantic segmentation models in complex scenes, a semantic segmentation model based on an improved DeepLabV3+ network (Imp-DeepLabV3+) was proposed. Firstly, the backbone network of the DeepLabV3+ model was replaced by MobileNetV2 to enhance the feature extraction capability of the model. Then, the layer-by-layer feature fusion method was adopted in the Decoder stage to integrate high-level semantic feature information with low-level high-resolution feature information at multi-scale to achieve more precise up-sampling operation. Finally, the SENet module was further introduced into the network to enhance information interaction after feature fusion and improve the segmentation precision of the model under complex datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the Imp-DeepLabV3+ model achieved a high pixel accuracy (PA) of 99.4%, a mean pixel accuracy (MPA) of 98.1%, and a mean intersection over union (MIoU) of 96.8%. Compared to the original DeepLabV3+ model, the segmentation performance of the improved model significantly improved. Moreover, the overall segmentation performance of the Imp-DeepLabV3+ model surpassed that of other commonly used semantic segmentation models, such as Fully Convolutional Networks (FCNs), Lite Reduced Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (LR-ASPP), and U-Net. Therefore, this study can be applied to the field of scene segmentation and is conducive to further analyzing individual information and promoting the development of intelligent animal farming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)

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23 pages, 10897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porcine Germ Cells Phenotype during Embryonic and Adult Development

by Amanda Soares Jorge, Kaiana Recchia, Mayra Hirakawa Glória, Aline Fernanda de Souza, Laís Vicari de Figueirêdo Pessôa, Paulo Fantinato Neto, Daniele dos Santos Martins, André Furugen Cesar de Andrade, Simone Maria Massami Kitamura Martins, Fabiana Fernandes Bressan and Naira Caroline Godoy Pieri

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2520; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152520 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of gametes. Due to their importance for the formation and reproduction of an organism, understanding the mechanisms and pathways of PGCs and the differences between males and females is essential. However, there is little research in [...] Read more.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of gametes. Due to their importance for the formation and reproduction of an organism, understanding the mechanisms and pathways of PGCs and the differences between males and females is essential. However, there is little research in domestic animals, e.g., swine, regarding the epigenetic and pluripotency profiles of PGCs during development. This study analyzed the expression of epigenetic and various pluripotent and germline markers associated with the development and differentiation of PGCs in porcine (pPGCs), aiming to understand the different gene expression profiles between the genders. The analysis of gonads at different gestational periods (from 24 to 35 days post fertilization (dpf) and in adults) was evaluated by immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR and showed phenotypic differences between the gonads of male and female embryos. In addition, the pPGCs were positive for OCT4 and VASA; some cells were H3k27me3 positive in male embryos and adult testes. In adults, the cells of the testes were positive for germline markers, as confirmed by gene expression analysis. The results may contribute to understanding the pPGC pathways during reproductive development, while also contributing to the knowledge needed to generate mature gametes in vitro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stem Cells in Animal Reproduction)

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21 pages, 4117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Zinc Supplemented in Organic Form Affects the Expression of Inflammatory Molecules in Swine Intestine

by Ramya Lekha Medida, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Yue Guo, Lee J. Johnston, Pedro E. Urriola, Andres Gomez and Milena Saqui-Salces

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2519; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152519 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 944

Abstract

Animals receiving Zinc (Zn) dietary supplementation with organic sources respond better to stress than inorganic Zn sources supplementation. The study aimed to identify the effect of different Zn sources on intestinal epithelial gene expression. In total, 45 pigs (9 per treatment) (77.5 ± [...] Read more.

Animals receiving Zinc (Zn) dietary supplementation with organic sources respond better to stress than inorganic Zn sources supplementation. The study aimed to identify the effect of different Zn sources on intestinal epithelial gene expression. In total, 45 pigs (9 per treatment) (77.5 ± 2.5 kg weight) were fed for 32 days, a corn-soybean meal diet without supplemented Zn (ZnR) or supplemented with 50 and 100 ppm of inorganic ZnCl₂ (Zn50 and Zn100), and amino acid-bound organic Zn sources (LQ50 and LQ100). Gene expression changes form RNA-seq in ileum tissues of ZnR revealed changes associated with Zn insufficiency. Comparing organic with inorganic Zn sources by one-way ANOVA, pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 18 (IL18) was downregulated (p = 0.03) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) upregulated (p = 0.02). To determine the role of epithelial cells in response to dietary Zn, swine intestinal organoids (enteroids) were exposed to Zn restriction, ZnCl₂ or LQ-Zn. In enteroids, ZIP4 expression decreased with added Zn compared with Zn-restriction (p = 0.006) but Zn sources did not affect (p > 0.05) IL18 or TLR2 expression. These results suggest that organic Zn may stimulate TLR2 signaling possibly affecting immune response, while decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine IL18 expression in non-epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Trace Minerals in Livestock and Poultry Production)

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11 pages, 1727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Bit Chewing on Gastric Emptying, Small Intestinal Transit, and Orocecal Transit Times in Clinically Normal Horses

by Molly E. Patton, Frank M. Andrews, Sophie H. Bogers, David Wong, Harold C. McKenzie III, Stephen R. Werre and Christopher R. Byron

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2518; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152518 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Ileus is a common life-threatening problem in horses, and currently available treatments may be ineffective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bit chewing, a form of sham feeding, decreases the gastric emptying time (GET), small intestinal transit time (SITT), and [...] Read more.

Ileus is a common life-threatening problem in horses, and currently available treatments may be ineffective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bit chewing, a form of sham feeding, decreases the gastric emptying time (GET), small intestinal transit time (SITT), and total orocecal transit time (OCTT) in clinically normal horses in a prospective crossover study. Nine healthy horses were acclimated and fed a standardized diet. Following 24 h of fasting, self-contained video endoscopy capsules and acetaminophen were administered into the stomach via a nasogastric tube. Each horse underwent experimental (bit chewing for 20 min every 6 h) or control (no bit chewing) conditions, with a 3-week minimum washout period between conditions. The horses were enrolled in either part of the study until all video capsules were retrieved and/or 30 days lapsed. The video capsules were recovered from manure, and GET, SITT, and OCTT were determined from a video analysis. Bit chewing significantly decreased OCTT (p = 0.015) compared to the control conditions. Bit chewing decreased GET and SITT, but the differences were not significant. The mean (median) times determined via the video capsule analysis for the bit-chewing conditions were as follows: GET, 2.34 h (2.86 h); SITT, 3.22 h (3.65 h); and OCTT, 5.13 h (6.15 h), and for the control conditions, they were as follows: GET, 3.93 h (5 h); SITT, 3.79 h (4.4 h); and OCTT, 8.02 h (9.92 h). Bit chewing decreased OCTT in healthy horses. Because this segment of the gastrointestinal tract is frequently affected by ileus, bit chewing may be a safe and inexpensive intervention for that condition in horses. Further investigation in clinical patients with ileus is warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Gut Health in Horses: Current Research and Approaches)

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13 pages, 1752 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in Dogs—A Post-Mortem Study

by Vahideh Rahmani, Juha Peltonen, Shyrley Paola Amarilla, Dmitri Hmelnikov, Mirja Ruohoniemi and Thomas Spillmann

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2517; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152517 - 04 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1171

Abstract

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is commonly used in humans and is also feasible in cats. The aim of this post-mortem study was to investigate the feasibility of MRCP in eight adult dogs by comparing the visibility and measured diameters of the biliary tract [...] Read more.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is commonly used in humans and is also feasible in cats. The aim of this post-mortem study was to investigate the feasibility of MRCP in eight adult dogs by comparing the visibility and measured diameters of the biliary tract and pancreatic ducts in MRCP with those of fluoroscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (FRCP) and corrosion casting. In autopsy, six dogs had no evidence of hepatobiliary disorders, one had pancreatic pathology, and one had biliary pathology. The gallbladder (GB), cystic duct, and common bile duct (CBD) were visible in the MRCP images of all eight dogs. However, the extrahepatic ducts and pancreatic ducts were only variably visible. There was statistical agreement between MRCP and FRCP in measuring the diameters of the GB (fundus and body) and CBD (at papilla and extrahepatic ducts’ junction). The diameter measurements correlated between MRCP and corrosion casting. Our study showed that MRCP is feasible in dogs and allowed for proper visualization of the biliary tract. However, ducts with diameters of <1 mm were difficult to visualize using a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine. Further studies are warranted to apply MRCP in the diagnostic imaging of live dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)

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Animals, Volume 13, Issue 15 (August-1 2023) – 149 articles

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